Kudoke 5

When KUDOKE launched the HANDwerk collection in 2019, the first two timepieces (the Kudoke 1 & 2) were met with critical acclaim. Superbly finished, well-designed timepieces at great prices, the Kudoke 2 won a GPHG Award. The Koduke 3 with its novel display of time, released in 2023, was also a hit with collectors and a timepiece we collaborated with the brand on to create a special edition for Esperluxe. Now, the HANDwerk collection continues its evolution with the all-new Kudoke 5 (K5) – a timepiece built upon the foundation of the Kudoke 2. 

Unlike K2, where the 24-hour display played a supporting role on the dial, in K5, it literally becomes the star. At its heart is the large, domed, and hand-engraved celestial disk, which completes one full rotation every 24 hours. Surrounding it, the two-part dial ring is divided into easily readable 15-minute increments. The finely crafted diamond-cut edges create a unique play of light, making the watch shine in ever-changing facets depending on the angle of light. However, this function is more than just an alternative time display—it mirrors our natural life rhythm, following the sun as it rises and sets along the horizon, unbroken into artificial phases.

The intricately hand-engraved celestial disk invites exploration, revealing new details like the constellation Ursa Minor with Polaris, the brightest star of the formation. Notably, this dial is missing hands. KUDOKE offers a more intuitive indication of time. The portion of the disk visible in the upper half represents the current time. When the sunlit half is on top, it is 12 noon; when the night side is on top, it is midnight. This clear and natural depiction of time enhances intuitive readability, making the watch a uniquely practical companion in everyday life.

Compared to earlier timepieces in the HANDwerk collection, the K5 features a freshly designed case – slimmer 38mm diameter and perceived case height of a mere 7mm. The dome of the sapphire crystal adds an additional 5mm to the height, a facet of the case that accentuates the massive domed celestial disk. This is the most three-dimensional watch in KUDOKE’s catalog, popping off the wrist. 

The updated case encloses the KUDOKE 1 movement – the bedrock on which the HANDwerk collection is built. Visible through the exhibition caseback, it features exquisite finishing techniques and traditional embellishments. To reduce friction caused by the weight of the celestial disk, KUDOKE has, for the first time, integrated a ball bearing into the 24-hour mechanism – an engineering solution that ensures low-friction movement and requires no additional lubrication.